Warren Police Chief Peter T. Achilli will retire Friday after 36 years with the department, ending a career that began when he joined the force as a special police officer at age 19.

Chief Achilli confirmed his departure Thursday afternoon, saying that he is leaving satisfied and happy that the department is in good shape, and in good hands. Following his departure, former Deputy Chief Roy Borges will take over as acting chief while a permanent replacement is found.

"We got the department in a good place," the outgoing chief said. "We upgraded a lot of things, we got the accreditation in place, which was my major goal. I think I've done everything I could here at the present time, and it's time to pass the torch, as they say."

Though Chief Achilli's last day in the office is Friday, Jan. 10, he will remain on the books though on vacation time through March 1. Warren Town Manager Kate Michaud was expected to promote Deputy Chief Borges to acting chief Thursday at midnight; from there, she said, she will lead the effort to find a permanent replacement.

"The department is in good hands" with Deputy Chief Borges, she said.
Chief Achilli, who had served as chief since 2009, served many roles in the department.

After serving for three years as a special reserve officer in his late teens and early 20s, he recruited into the department in 1986 at age 22. Graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy in June 1987, he was assigned to the Patrol Division. In that role he was trained and certified as an accident reconstructionist, and also served in the Community Policing Unit and on the Special Response Team.

 In 1996 he was promoted to the rank of Detective, working all aspects of the Detective Division, from Narcotics Investigations to Prosecution Officer.

Three years later, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant, where he was responsible for the overall supervision of the Detective Division.

 In 2001 he was promoted to Lieutenant, where he served as the Department's Police Adjutant and was responsible for the overall Command of the Patrol and Detective Divisions. He was named chief in 2009.

 As the Department's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Achilli was responsible for the management of 25 full time, six civilian and 25 part-time police personnel.

In addition to his law enforcement duties and responsibilities, he was assigned as the Town of Warren's Assistant Emergency Management Director and Chairperson of the Traffic Commission.

 Chief Achilli is a graduate of Roger Williams University, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.  He is a member of the Rhode Island Chief's Association, New England Chiefs Association, Rhode Island Criminalistics Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, Bristol Elks, and the Bristol County (Massachussetts) Sheriff's Department.

Though he is leaving the force, Chief Achilli will stay in law enforcement. Following his departure, he said he will be taking a position at the Wyatt Federal Detention Facility in Central Falls, where he will work in investigations.